This chapter regulates the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of all on-premises signs, sign structures and their supports on any property in the city.
Signs are an important means of communication and can serve as an economic and aesthetic asset. It is the intent of the city of Hawthorne to promote and facilitate commerce by means of attractive signage and by addressing aesthetic concerns about visual clutter and visual blight. The sign regulations are intended to be consistent with land use patterns by adding rather than detracting from the architecture of the buildings where they are located.
A. 
Applicability.
1. 
Any sign erected, altered, or an existing sign maintained on private property within any residential zone or an existing, legally established residence in a non-residential zone, after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, shall conform to the provisions of this section.
2. 
This section applies to both temporary and permanent signs on private property within any residential zone or an existing, legally established residence in a non-residential zone.
3. 
This section does not apply to holiday decorations, as defined in this title.
4. 
This section does not apply to sports equipment, including, but not limited to, basketball courts, goals, ballbounces, and tetherball.
B. 
Purpose and Intent.
Signs perform an important function in identifying and promoting properties, services, residences, events, and other matters of interest to the public. The intent of this chapter is to regulate all noncommercial signs on private property within any residential zone or an existing, legally established residence in a non-residential zone within the city to ensure that they are appropriate for their respective uses, in keeping with the appearance of the affected property and surrounding environment, and protective of the public health, safety, and general welfare by:
1. 
Setting standards and providing uniform controls that permit reasonable and fair use of signs on private residential property while protecting the character and nature of residential neighborhoods.
2. 
Prohibiting the erection of signs in such numbers, sizes, designs, illumination, and locations on private property as may create a hazard to pedestrians and motorists.
3. 
Avoiding excessive messaging from large or multiple signs so that permitted signs provide adequate identification and direction while minimizing clutter, unsightliness, and confusion.
4. 
Establishing a process for the review and approval of sign permit applications.
C. 
Standards.
1. 
Prohibited Signs. In addition to those signs prohibited by this chapter, the following signs are not permitted within any residential zone or an existing, legally established residence in a non-residential zone:
•
Aerial signs or aerial devices;
•
Electronic reader board signs, electronic message centers and changeable electronic variable message signs, excepted as noted in this chapter;
•
Exposed neon, exposed LED or similar illuminated signs;
•
Inflated signs, balloons (balloons, figures, and blimps) and figures;
•
Non-residential signage except as noted in this chapter;
•
Pole signs;
•
Projecting signs;
•
Roof signs;
•
Signs erected in a manner that a portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any way with the free use of a fire escape, exit or standpipe or obstruct a required ventilator, door, stairway or window above the first story;
•
Signs in violation of Section 3479 or 3480 of the California Civil Code;
•
Signs painted on fences, walls, roofs, storage bins or cargo containers;
•
Strings of lights or signs outlined with individual light bulbs.
2. 
Permitted Signs.
a. 
Protected Non-Commercial Speech Temporary Signs. All private property within any residential zone or an existing, legally established residence in a non-residential zone are allowed to display a maximum of five signs per parcel of temporary or permanent non-commercial signage. Temporary or permanent non-commercial signs may not exceed three square feet per sign face. The temporary or permanent non-commercial signage can be displayed at all times. The display area may be used for any protected non-commercial speech. Temporary or permanent non-commercial speech signs must be freestanding and cannot exceed four feet in height as measured from the adjacent grade. Temporary or permanent non-commercial speech signs must be set back from the sidewalk edge by at least five feet. Non-commercial speech temporary or permanent signs authorized by this section may not be placed within the fifteen-foot corner cutback area, as defined in Section 17.42.090. In cases where freestanding signs cannot be accommodated and meet the required placement standards, the director of planning may approve an alternative placement.
b. 
Wall signs for identification purposes only, are permitted in residential zones, subject to the following limitations:
i. 
All "R" Zones. One nonilluminated sign per dwelling unit, only, for purposes of identifying the occupants thereof. No permit shall be required for this identification sign.
ii. 
R-3 and R-4 Zones. One illuminated or nonilluminated sign per street frontage, only, for multiple-family dwelling developments, not more than thirty square feet in area, to advertise the name of or to identify said development. The sign shall be attached to the street front wall of the building and shall not exceed fifteen feet in height above the ground.
c. 
Nonresidential uses such as boarding homes, boarding houses, convalescent homes, day care facilities, dental clinics and offices, fraternity houses, hotels, lodging houses, medical clinics and offices, mobile home parks, motels, nursing homes, private clubs, public libraries and parks, rest homes, sanitariums, schools and sorority houses may be permitted one illuminated or nonilluminated sign per street frontage, not more than thirty square feet in area to identify the use.
d. 
Private and public schools, churches and assembly uses are subject to the following provisions:
i. 
Total sign area allotment permitted shall be two square feet of sign area for each one linear foot of qualified street frontage. Chargeable against the total sign area shall include, but not be limited to, wall, projecting, and monument signs. Electronic message center signs are subject to the provisions contained herein.
(A) 
Not more than one monument sign, per qualified street frontage, shall be permitted.
(B) 
The base of the monument sign shall be constructed with stone, concrete, metal, brick or other materials consistent with the building the sign is representing.
(C) 
The base of the monument sign shall be a minimum height of twelve inches and may not exceed twenty-four inches.
(D) 
The maximum height of a monument sign, including any architectural features, shall not exceed six feet.
(E) 
The maximum depth of the sign, including any architectural features, shall not exceed five feet.
ii. 
Only one electronic message center shall be permitted and is subject to the following provisions:
(A) 
Electronic message center sign shall display static images only (live or pre-recorded is prohibited) and shall not change more than every five seconds.
(B) 
Electronic message center sign may not operate between the hours of nine p.m. and seven a.m.
(C) 
Freestanding signs are prohibited.
(D) 
Electronic message center signs are prohibited on existing freestanding signs or any nonconforming sign.
e. 
Flags. Each residential property shall be allowed one flag pole not to exceed twenty-five feet in height for the display of one institutional flag, as defined in this title.
D. 
Violations.
1. 
The violation of any of the provisions of this section is hereby deemed a public nuisance that may be abated by the city in the manner prescribed by law.
2. 
If the city official or their authorized representatives, after inspection, find that a sign has been posted at a location or is of a type that is in violation of this section or that a sign has become unsafe, insecure, or is a menace to the public safety, such official shall take action as follows:
a. 
The city official shall give five days written notice to the property owner or tenant on whose property the sign has been posted, to remove, relocate, repair, or alter such sign.
b. 
If the sign has not been removed, relocated, repaired, or altered within such period of time, or such other further time as agreed to by such official of the city, the official will follow the administrative citation process per Chapter 1.23B.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 3, 2011; Ord. 2182 § 4, 2019)
No person shall erect, alter, or add to any sign as defined in Section 17.04.010 unless a permit for the same has been issued by the director of building and safety of the city of Hawthorne except as otherwise provided by this code.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1707 § 27, 2001; Ord. 1986 § 5, 2011)
A. 
Real estate signs.
B. 
Political signs.
C. 
Temporary signs for authorized community events.
D. 
Menu boards and portable umbrellas used in conjunction with permitted outdoor dining; provided, that the menu board shall not exceed six square feet in area and located only on the premises upon which the sale is occurring or within an area approved for outdoor dining.
E. 
One garage sale sign; provided, that the sign shall be limited to six square feet in area and located only on the premises upon which the sale is occurring.
F. 
Business door nameplates, not exceeding three square feet in area, and containing only the name, address and hours of operation of the business.
G. 
Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public officer and government signs.
H. 
Warning or information signs authorized by federal, state or municipal authority.
I. 
Directional or informational signs less than six square feet in area in conjunction with any multiple-family use.
J. 
One non-programmable LED or neon sign under two square feet in non-residential zones.
K. 
On the premises of public schools and public charter schools, permanent signs, including EMCs, provided they are limited to displaying messages and images directly related to school activities and functions.
L. 
Security signs advising of home and business security do not require a sign permit and are exempt from the requirement that signs on personal property be non-commercial in nature.
M. 
Temporary non-commercial signs on residential property per Section 17.35.130.
N. 
"Banner holiday" temporary sign—only one permitted to be displayed the day before Thanksgiving through the first Monday after the new year, every year.
(Ord. 1707 § 29, 2001; Ord. 1986 § 7, 2011; Ord. 2062 §§ 21, 22, 2014; Ord. 2068 § 18, 2014; Ord. 2077 § 3, 2014; Ord. 2182 § 5, 2019)
Application for a sign permit shall be made to the director of building and safety of the city of Hawthorne and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
A. 
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
B. 
The address, location of the building or structure, or lot to which or upon which the sign or advertising structure is to be attached or erected;
C. 
The location of the sign or advertising structure on the property in relation to near by buildings or structures;
D. 
Two blueprints or ink drawings of the plans and specifications and methods of construction and attachment to the buildings or on the ground;
E. 
A copy of stress sheets and calculations showing that the structure is designed for deadload and wind pressures in any direction in the amount required by this and all other laws and ordinances of the city of Hawthorne;
F. 
The name of the person, firm, corporation or association erecting or painting the sign;
G. 
Written consent of the owner or lessee of the building, structure or land to which or on which the sign structure is to be erected when more than one occupancy can or does exist;
H. 
Estimated sign value, based on current value of new sign;
I. 
A building permit fee shall be collected in accordance with the valuation schedule of the Uniform Building Code as adopted by the city of Hawthorne.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1938 § 5, 2008; Ord. 1986 § 9, 2011)
No sign permit shall issue for the placement of a sign or sign structure which might interfere with, mislead or confuse the movement of vehicular traffic, such as being in conflict with traffic signal lights.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 10, 2011)
No sign permit shall issue in conflict with the provisions of this chapter insofar as they relate to fire hazards, or with the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code of the city.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 11, 2011)
The issuance of a sign permit shall be approved by the director of planning if the application information demonstrates that the sign will be in conformance with the provisions of Title 17 of the Hawthorne Municipal Code.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 12, 2011)
If the proposed sign or sign structure is in compliance with all the requirements of this chapter and other laws and ordinances of the city of Hawthorne, the director of building and safety shall then issue the sign permit. If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within one hundred twenty days or a proper extension granted prior thereto by the director of building and safety and the director of planning, the permit shall become null and void.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 13, 2011)
A. 
Signs and sign structure shall be maintained at all times in a state of good repair.
B. 
Any person maintaining any sign or sign structure shall keep the ground space within eight feet from the base of said sign, structure, or advertising structure free and clear of weeds, rubbish and other inflammable waste materials at all times.
C. 
If the director of building and safety finds that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public safety in any manner, or has been constructed, erected or maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, or the Uniform Building Code as adopted by the city of Hawthorne, the permittee or owner shall be given written notice to abate the violations. If the permittee or owner fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within thirty days after such notice, such sign or advertising structure shall be caused to be removed or altered to effect compliance by the director of building and safety at the expense of the permittee or the owner of the property upon which it is located. The director of building and safety shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay the cost so assessed. The director of building and safety may cause any sign or advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without further notice.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 14, 2011)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code and subject to the property owner's consent, any noncommercial copy may be substituted, in whole or in part, for any commercial copy on any sign permitted by this code. If non-commercial copy is substituted, the resulting sign will continue to be treated as the original commercial sign under this code and will not be deemed or treated as an off-premises sign (billboard). The content of any non-commercial copy on any sign otherwise permitted by this code may be changed without complying with any provisions of this code normally required for sign copy or design approval. In addition, on non-residential uses, non-commercial copy on temporary signs may be substituted for commercial copy subject to the requirements of Section 17.35.230.
The purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over non-commercial speech, or favoring of any particular non-commercial copy over any other non-commercial copy. This provision (a) does not create a right to increase the total amount of permanent signage on a parcel, lot, or land use; (b) does not affect the requirement that a sign structure or mounting device be properly permitted; (c) does not allow a change in the physical structure of a sign or its mounting device; or (d) does not allow the substitution of off-premises commercial copy in place of on-premises commercial copy or non-commercial copy.
(Ord. 1883 § 4, 2007; Ord. 1986 § 15, 2011)
For signing purposes, private streets that serve as public thoroughfares and not just driveways may, with the approval of the director of planning, the approval of the director of building and safety, or with the approval of the city council, be considered as having qualified street frontage.
Corner commercially and industrially zoned lots which side on local residentially zoned streets, may have signs located on and facing the side street frontage, but the total area shall not exceed one square-foot of signing for each linear foot of said side street frontage.
The rear or side wall of buildings that front on or face alleys or parking areas may have wall signs.
Total sign area allotment permitted for a commercial or industrial development shall be two square feet of sign area for each one linear foot of qualified street frontage. Chargeable against the total sign area shall include, but not be limited to, wall, projecting, window, monument and freestanding signs.
Any individual commercial or industrial development may have a choice of signs, but the total sign area shall not exceed two square feet for each one linear foot of qualified street frontage, and, in addition, all signs shall be subject to the following:
A. 
Freestanding and monument signs are subject to the following provisions:
1. 
Not more than either one freestanding sign or monument sign, per qualified street frontage, shall be permitted for each development.
2. 
The maximum height from the ground to the top of any freestanding pole sign or monument sign shall be twenty-five feet. The maximum sign area for a freestanding sign or monument sign is one hundred and fifty square feet.
3. 
A permitted freestanding sign, located in a Regional Commercial Classification zone shall be a maximum height of forty feet, provided that a conditional use permit (CUP) shall be required for any sign over forty feet, up to a maximum of seventy feet above the ground upon which it is located or forty feet above the freeway roadbed, whichever is more restrictive. A permitted freestanding sign in a Regional Commercial Classification zone shall be subject to the following provisions:
a. 
A freestanding sign shall be located a maximum of five hundred feet from the centerline of the freeway, provided the planning commission approves a greater distance through the conditional use process.
b. 
A freestanding sign shall have an unobstructed line of sight to the freeway,
c. 
A freestanding sign shall not be located within five hundred feet of a residential zone.
d. 
The maximum sign area for a freestanding sign is three hundred and fifty square feet; provided the planning commission may approve a greater sign area through the conditional use permit process.
B. 
Roof signs shall require a conditional use permit.
C. 
Projecting signs shall be permitted, subject to the following provisions in the commercial and industrial zones:
1. 
Not more than one projecting sign shall be permitted for each development.
2. 
No projecting sign shall extend above the roof of the building to which it is attached.
3. 
The total area of a projecting sign shall not exceed the maximum of two square feet for each linear foot of qualified street frontage.
D. 
Wall signs are permitted in commercial and industrial zones, subject to the following provisions:
1. 
Wall signs made entirely of paper shall be prohibited.
2. 
The total area of all wall signs shall not exceed thirty-three percent of the area of the wall on which they are located. In no instance, however, shall the total area of wall signs exceed the maximum of two square feet for each linear foot of qualified street frontage.
E. 
Regional shopping center signs may be controlled by the lessor and/or owner through the terms of a lease or sublease, provided they comply with the provisions of this chapter.
F. 
Comprehensive Sign Program. The comprehensive sign program is a program that is intended to integrate the design of signs, proposed for a development project, with the design of the structures, to create a unified architectural statement. A comprehensive sign program provides a means for defining common sign regulations for multitenant projects, to encourage the unifying design and display of multiple signs and to achieve the intent of this chapter.
1. 
The approval of a comprehensive sign program shall be required when any of the following circumstances exist, or when an applicant requests the approval of a comprehensive sign program:
a. 
Two or more separate tenant spaces are created in a building or on a project site;
b. 
A permanent sign is proposed for a new or existing development that does not have an approved comprehensive sign program.
c. 
The planning director determines that a comprehensive sign program is needed because of special project characteristics (e.g., the size of proposed signs, limited site visibility, or the location of the site relative to major transportation routes, etc.).
2. 
A comprehensive sign program shall be approved through the granting of a sign permit for a comprehensive sign program by the planning director.
3. 
A comprehensive sign program shall comply with the following standards:
a. 
Each sign shall enhance the overall development, be in harmony with, and relate visually to other signs included in the comprehensive sign program. It shall also enhance the structure and/or development it identifies in relation to the surrounding development.
b. 
The program shall accommodate future revisions that may be required because of changes in use or tenants; and
c. 
The program shall comply with the standards of this chapter, except that flexibility is allowed with regard to sign area, number, location, and/or height to the extent that the comprehensive sign program will enhance the overall development and will more fully accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
4. 
Revisions to a comprehensive sign program may be approved by the planning director if the intent of the original approval is upheld. Revisions that would substantially deviate from the original approval shall require the approval of a new comprehensive sign program.
G. 
Permanent Window Signs. The cumulative total area for permanent window signs displayed for a business shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the area of the window on which the signs are displayed.
H. 
Electronic message center signs subject to the provisions contained in Section 17.35.120.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1707 § 30, 2001; Ord. 1986 § 16, 2011; Ord. 2127 § 12, 2016)
In addition to the maximum number of freestanding signs and total sign area listed in Section 17.35.110, regional shopping centers, as defined in Section 17.04.010, may also be permitted a regional shopping center sign as follows:
A. 
One regional shopping center sign, which is defined as a combination of two sign types in a single sign structure as follows: (1) a billboard (as defined in Chapter 17.04 except that it may also advertise on-site businesses and products); and (2) fixed signage advertising on-site businesses and products (as defined in Chapter 17.04).
B. 
Regional shopping center signs shall adhere to the following standards:
1. 
A regional shopping center sign shall be located immediately adjacent to a freeway and within the freeway overlay zone.
2. 
The billboard portion of the regional shopping center sign shall be subject to requirements and procedures of Chapter 17.88, Freeway Overlay Zone, except that a V-shaped billboard shall not be allowed on a regional shopping center sign (billboard faces must be parallel).
3. 
The height and area of the fixed signage portion of a regional shopping center sign shall be as dictated in Section 17.35.110(A)(3), except that a billboard agreement shall be used instead of a CUP for requests to permit heights of the fixed sign portion above forty feet up to a maximum of seventy-five feet or forty feet above the freeway roadbed, whichever is more restrictive. The billboard agreement shall also be used instead of a CUP for requests to allow the fixed sign portion to exceed three hundred fifty square feet of sign area.
4. 
The minimum separation between any other fixed freestanding sign shall be three hundred feet, as measured from the support. The minimum separation between any other billboard shall be as dictated in Chapter 17.88, Freeway Overlay Zone. The intent of this requirement is to combine signage and reduce visual clutter on a regional shopping center and maintain separation requirements between billboards.
5. 
Regional shopping center signs shall be designed as an integrated structure that complements and enhances any existing freestanding signage in the shopping center.
6. 
Poles or pylons used to support regional shopping center signs must have decorative covers or be clad in materials that are compatible with the overall design of the sign, other signs on the property, and the architectural character of buildings on the site, in terms of style, color, and materials.
7. 
The ground area surrounding the base of regional shopping center signs shall be landscaped. The landscape area must be at least five feet in width as measured from the base of sign to edge of the nearest curb, sidewalk, or pavement. A landscaping plan must be approved prior to approval of the building permit and the landscaping shall be maintained weed and litter-free and the plants kept in a healthy state for the life of the sign.
(Ord. 2142 § 3, 2017)
A. 
Only one electronic message center sign shall be permitted per tenant, unless otherwise specified.
1. 
Electronic message center sign shall not exceed fifty percent of total sign allotment per tenant.
2. 
On multiple tenant developments, no permits for electronic message center signs shall be issued until approval of a master sign program is granted in accordance with this chapter.
3. 
The addition of an EMC sign shall be prohibited on any nonconforming freestanding sign.
4. 
Only one electronic message center sign shall be permitted on a freestanding or monument sign. However, in the case of multitenant developments, the city will not restrict any/or all businesses within the development use of the EMC.
5. 
Where single tenant or multitenant development exists over multiple parcels, including parcels used for parking, no additional electronic message center signs shall be permitted on the basis of it being on a separate parcel.
B. 
Limitations on electronic message center signs:
1. 
No sign shall display animated messages, including flashing, blinking, fading, rolling, shading, dissolving, incandescent or stroboscopic lights, or any other effect that gives the appearance of movement.
2. 
No sign shall display any word, phrase, symbol or character which may interfere, mislead, or confuse traffic or any authorized traffic control device.
3. 
No sign shall include any audio.
4. 
Signs shall display static images only (live or pre-recorded video is prohibited) and, unless otherwise specified herein, shall not change more than once every five seconds.
5. 
Transitions from one static image to the next shall appear instantaneous, without the appearance of animation.
6. 
Electronic message center shall display messages directly related to the on-site use. No off-site advertising is allowed on the electronic message center.
7. 
Signs shall come equipped with automatic dimming technology which automatically adjusts the sign's brightness based on actual ambient light conditions.
a. 
Measurement shall be taken at least thirty minutes past sunset, using a foot candle meter to record the ambient light reading for the area. This is done while the message center is off or displaying all black copy. No sign shall exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light. The reading shall be taken with the meter aimed directly at the message center at the appropriate pre-set distance. The measuring distance shall be calculated with the following formula:
b. 
The sign must contain a default mechanism that reverts the sign immediately to a black screen in case of a malfunction.
c. 
Proof of required technology/controls must be presented at the time of permit application.
(Ord. 1986 § 18, 2011; Ord. 2115 § 3, 2016)
Signs in the residential zones shall be subject to the following provisions:
A. 
Personal expression signs of any sign type, including flags, subject to the following provisions:
1. 
No sign face shall exceed three square feet in area per side, shall be non-commercial in nature, and shall not be illuminated except for address signs. Signs may be freestanding or wall-mounted but may not be mounted to a roof or fascia other than a street address (fascia only for address). All freestanding signs must be set back at least five feet from the back of the sidewalk. No temporary banners are allowed other than as provided for in Section 17.35.000(A) of this chapter.
2. 
Security signs advising of home security are exempt from the requirement that signs on personal property be non-commercial in nature.
3. 
No person shall maintain more than five yard signs on any residential property or per individual unit, whichever is larger, in any single-family or multi-family residential zone. Two signs placed back to back shall count as one sign.
(Ord. 1986 § 19, 2011; Ord. 2070 § 16, 2014; Ord. 2089 § 6, 2015; Ord. 2115 § 4, 2016; Ord. 2182 § 6, 2019)
Signs advertising horticultural activities in the H (horticultural) zone may be permitted subject to the following provisions:
One ground sign only, not more than forty square feet in area and not more than fifteen feet in height on each separate property in the H (horticultural) zone.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 20, 2011)
No sign shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere or obstruct in any way or manner the free use or access to any fire escape, exit or standpipe, ventilator or stairway. No sign shall obstruct the free use of or access to any window or door on the same premises.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 21, 2011)
Except in the case of menu boards and portable umbrellas used in conjunction with outdoor dining, no projecting, freestanding, pole or ground sign may extend into or over any public street, public sidewalk, or other public property (excluding alleys), or beyond a building line, except at a distance as determined by the clearance from the bottom of the sign to the level of the sidewalk or grade immediately below as follows:
A. 
Ground clearance less than eight feet; no projection.
B. 
Ground clearance of eight feet; one foot projection.
C. 
Ground clearance above eight feet; for each additional two inches clearance an additional one inch projection to a maximum projection of three feet.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 23, 2011; Ord. 2068 § 19, 2014)
No sign permit shall be issued under this chapter for any sign which encroaches into or over city-owned property unless and until an encroachment permit has been issued by the public works director/city engineer. Menu boards and portable umbrellas used in conjunction with outdoor dining are allowed under the encroachment permits for the outdoor dining.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1707 § 31, 2001; Ord. 1986 § 24, 2011; Ord. 2068 § 20, 2014)
No sign may project more than six inches from the face of a building over private property used or intended to be used by the general public, unless there is a minimum of eight feet clearance from the bottom of the sign to the side-walk or grade immediately below the sign, for pedestrian use only, or a minimum of fourteen feet clearance from the bottom of the sign to a vehicular trafficway, such as a driveway, immediately below the sign.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 25, 2011)
Bulletin boards shall be any identification sign used with religious institutions, public and parochial schools, Y.M.C.A.s and other civic or charitable organizations. Bulletin boards not over forty square feet in area may be used with a public, charitable or religious institution located in a residential zone when such bulletin boards are located on the premises of such institutions.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 26, 2011)
Nothing herein contained shall prevent the city council from granting temporary special permits on such terms as it may deem proper, for signs advertising or pertaining to any civic, patriotic or special event of general public interest taking place within the boundaries of the city, when it is determined that the same will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare, interest or safety, or injurious to adjacent property or improvements.
Temporary signs for authorized community events, which shall include, but not be limited to, athletic events, parades, street fairs, and other civic, cultural, or recreational events are not subject to the requirements for temporary signs, and shall not require the issuance of an encroachment permit, provided that such signs shall not adversely impact nearby residential neighborhoods, schools or other sensitive land uses and shall be displayed for a period not to exceed the authorized duration of the event. No such sign(s) shall be displayed or installed until written authorization is obtained from the city manager.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1707 § 32, 2001; Ord. 1986 § 27, 2011)
The following types of signs are prohibited in all zones.
A. 
Any portable sign located on or projecting over the public right-of-way, required parking space or landscaped area, except for menu boards and umbrella signs located in the public right-of-way and operating in conjunction with permitted outdoor dining.
B. 
Off-premises signs, except as otherwise provided by this code.
C. 
Any balloon sign that is made of electrically conductive material.
D. 
Signs advertising home occupation businesses.
E. 
Temporary signs, except as otherwise provided by this code.
F. 
Vehicle signs, except for artwork, graphics, signs or other written or pictorial messages that are permanently placed upon or affixed to a business or commercial vehicle and are incidental to the usual and customary use of the vehicle. Vehicle signs that are permanently affixed to a commercial vehicle are prohibited to be parked in an area clearly visible from the street or within one thousand feet of a business for a period of two or more hours.
G. 
Flashing and/or blinking signs.
(Ord. 1707 § 34, 2001; Ord. 1826 § 22, 2005; Ord. 1986 § 28, 2011)
A. 
All cabinets, conductors, transformers and other equipment shall be concealed from public view.
B. 
Exposed lamps, tubing, raceways, crossovers or conduits may be permitted on approval of the director of building and safety only.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 29, 2011)
In all non-residential zones, temporary banners, large inflatable balloons, decorative flags, and portable signs shall be permitted subject to the requirements of this section; provided that these provisions shall not apply to real estate signs, political signs, institutional flags, and temporary signs for authorized community events. In addition, holiday decorations, displayed between November 25th and January 10th, are not subject to this section. Non-residential uses may display temporary signs substituting non-commercial copy for commercial copy, subject to the requirements of this section.
Temporary banners, large inflatable balloons, decorative flags, and portable signs shall require a temporary sign permit issued by the planning department, upon application of the owner, occupant or tenant, subject to the following conditions:
A. 
Size.
1. 
No banner shall exceed seventy-five square feet in area or be allowed to cover more than twenty percent of the surface of any wall segment of any building upon which it is affixed.
2. 
No inflatable balloon shall exceed one thousand cubic feet or have a dimension greater than ten feet.
3. 
No decorative flag or string of flags shall exceed fifty square feet in area or one hundred feet in length.
4. 
No portable sign shall exceed twelve square feet in area.
B. 
Location. Temporary signs shall be securely fastened on all sides to the wall of the structure, face of the building, roof, and/or face of an existing permanent sign, and shall not be allowed to flutter freely. No temporary sign shall impede traffic or project over a public right-of-way or property line.
C. 
Number of Temporary Signs. Each tenant space is limited to:
1. 
One or more banners, for a cumulative banner area not to exceed seventy-five square feet; or
2. 
One large inflatable balloon;
3. 
For tenants occupying corner leased spaces, each tenant frontage may have a banner(s) or large inflatable balloon subject to the other provisions of this section;
4. 
Decorative flags and portable signs shall be permitted in addition to the above temporary signs, subject to the restrictions contained herein.
D. 
Duration. With the exception of subsection H of this section, no more than two permits shall be granted during any calendar year, for a cumulative total of not more than thirty days.
E. 
Penalty. A penalty will be imposed for temporary signs installed prior to the issuance of a permit. The penalty will constitute the deletion of fifteen days from the cumulative time period allowed for temporary signs.
F. 
Temporary Identification. In addition to the limitations of subsection D of this section, any owner, occupant or tenant not otherwise having a permitted permanent sign shall be permitted to have a banner for a period not to exceed sixty days to direct attention to the name of the owner, occupant, or tenant of the premises upon which the banner is placed, or identifying the premises; or advertising goods manufactured or produced or services rendered on the premises upon which the banner is placed, pending the installation of a permanent sign.
G. 
Grand Openings. In addition to the limitations of subsections D and F of this section, the owner, occupant, or tenant shall be permitted to have a banner or large inflated balloon, for a period not to exceed sixty days, whose sole purpose is to announce or advertise the initial opening or change in ownership of an establishment, project, business, or other enterprise.
H. 
"Banner Holiday" Temporary Sign. An owner, occupant, or tenant shall be permitted to display, without a permit, one temporary sign, subject to the limitations of subsections A, B, and C of this section, between the day before Thanksgiving and the first Monday after the new year, every year.
I. 
Maintenance of Temporary Signs. All temporary signs must be maintained in good condition and repair. Any temporary sign which is torn, faded, sagging, or in disrepair shall be removed or replaced at the request of a code enforcement officer or the planning director.
J. 
City Stamp. The temporary sign shall have affixed to it the city stamp indicating its approval and its expiration date.
K. 
Authorization for Removal. The applicant for a temporary sign permit shall consent to the code enforcement officer or the planning director entering upon the lot or parcel solely for the removal of the temporary sign, if it is not promptly removed at the expiration of the permitted period. Such entry and removal shall occur only after not less than forty-eight hours written notice is posted upon the property and left with a manager or other responsible person at the location of the temporary sign.
L. 
Revocation. The planning director may revoke a permit granted under this section under the following conditions:
1. 
The permit was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation; or
2. 
The temporary sign(s) is not maintained pursuant to subsection I of this section.
M. 
Temporary Signs—New and/or Used Vehicle Sales, Rental and/or Leasing.
1. 
Such businesses shall be exempt from subsection C, Number of temporary signs and subsection D, Duration.
2. 
No temporary sign permits shall be granted to vehicle dealerships, rental and/or leasing businesses, unless a comprehensive sign program is provided and approved by the director of planning. The sign program shall address permanent as well as long-term temporary signs.
3. 
The following types of long-term temporary signs shall not require a permit, but must be addressed in the sign program:
a. 
Pole-Mounted Banners. A maximum of two banners per light pole is permitted. Such banners may be mounted on light poles located within twenty-five feet of the property lines adjoining public rights-of-way. Polemounted banners must not exceed twenty-five square feet each (fifty square feet per pole), shall be secured at the top and bottom by cross-members attached securely perpendicular to the pole, and shall not have any portion flutter freely.
b. 
Vehicle Flags (Feather Dancers) and Small Balloons, including Vertical Banners on Light Poles and Balloons on Flexible Poles. Not more than one flag or balloon per twenty linear feet of frontage shall be permitted, and each flag or balloon shall be separated by no less than fifteen feet horizontally. They shall be securely anchored to the ground or attached to a structure if approved by the director of building and safety or designated representative. Flags and balloons may not be attached to vehicles.
c. 
Windshield signs except that hand written signs are prohibited.
4. 
Temporary signs requiring permits shall be subject to the following regulations:
a. 
Not more than four temporary sign permits shall be issued per calendar year, not to exceed twenty-one days duration each. No more than two temporary sign permits may be in effect concurrently.
b. 
Each type of temporary sign shall constitute a separate permit.
c. 
The following types of temporary signs shall require a sign permit:
i. 
Wall-Mounted Banners. Not more than one banner per one hundred feet of qualified street frontage shall be permitted, and each banner must be no more than seventy-five square feet and must be separated by no less than seventy-five feet horizontal distance. Each banner shall be securely fastened on all sides to the wall of the structure, face of the building, and/or face of an existing permanent sign, and shall not be allowed to flutter freely.
ii. 
Large Inflatable Balloons. Not more than two shall be permitted per calendar year, not to exceed thirty days per permit, and not more than one at any given time.
iii. 
Strings of Pennants, Flags, or Streamers Not to Exceed Two Linear Feet per Qualified Foot of Street Frontage. Strings of pennants, flag, or streamers shall be attached only to structures on the property identified in the permit. They may not be attached to any poles owned by a public utility or the city. Not more than two permits of this type shall be permitted per calendar year and not more than one at any given time.
5. 
The following types of temporary signs are prohibited:
a. 
Bunting;
b. 
Balloons attached to strings or cables;
c. 
Any type of temporary sign not explicitly permitted by the section or permitted through an approved sign program.
N. 
Temporary Window Signs. There shall be no maximum number of permits issued for temporary window signs, although each twenty-five square feet of sign area, or fraction thereof, of temporary window sign(s) shall require the issuance of a permit. The cumulative total area for temporary window signs, displayed for a business, shall not exceed:
1. 
Twenty-five percent of the area of the windows on which the signs are displayed;
2. 
Two hundred square feet per building wall segment in which the windows are located; or
3. 
One square foot of sign per lineal foot of total window length within a wall, whichever is less.
In determining window area, perimeter window frames, mullions and building façade divisions shall be used to measure the outside window dimensions, rather than interior, ornamental, nondescript frames and dividers. This calculation shall include any number, or combination of, temporary window signs. The cumulative time period will be determined by the number of signs multiplied by the number of days each sign is displayed, not to exceed thirty days per calendar year.
(Ord. 1900 § 3, 2007; Ord. 1986 § 30, 2011; Ord. 2062 §§ 23, 24, 2014; Ord. 2064 § 4, 2014; Ord. 2077 §§ 3, 4, 2014)
Institutional flags shall be subject to the following provisions:
A. 
No institutional flag shall exceed sixty square feet in area.
B. 
The total number of institutional flags displayed by any business, at any time, shall be limited to five and each flag shall represent a different governmental jurisdiction or non-profit organization.
C. 
There shall be no limitation in the number of United States flags displayed between June 1st and July 15th of any year.
(Ord. 1707 § 38, 2001; Ord. 1986 § 31, 2011)
Trade construction signs may be approved at the discretion of the director of building and safety to advertise the various construction trades on any construction site. No individual construction sign shall exceed the dimensions of four by eight feet, or a height of twenty-five feet, and all of the signs shall be removed before a certificate of occupancy is issued for the business or development on the site.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984)
A real estate sign, used in conjunction with the rental, lease or sale of the building upon which it is placed, shall not exceed six square feet in area.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1707 § 39, 2001)
Ground signs advertising a subdivision for sale, rent, or lease shall be permitted, subject to the following criteria:
A. 
Maximum area per sign to be one hundred fifty square feet;
B. 
Minimum distance of five hundred linear feet between signs;
C. 
Signs to be located on the subdivision parcel;
D. 
One sign only may be permitted for each street facing;
E. 
A cash bond in an amount equal to the cost of the removal plus ten percent shall be deposited with the city prior to the installation of a subdivision sign;
F. 
Subdivision signs shall be removed within one year after completion of the construction of the subdivision, or forfeit the cash bond as required under subsection E herein.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984)
Sign frames and supporting construction shall be designed and constructed as provided in Part VI and Part VII of the latest edition of the Uniform Building Code as adopted by the city with the following exceptions:
A. 
All portions of such structure more than twenty feet above grade shall be designed for wind pressure of not less than thirty pounds per square foot.
B. 
Structural steel members shall be not less than one-quarter inch thick if ungalvanized and three-sixteenths inch thick if all members including bolts and fastenings are galvanized. Bolts and rivets used in sign structures supporting signs one hundred square feet in area or more, shall not be less than one-half inch in diameter. On such structures, supporting signs less than one hundred feet in area, bolts and rivets should not be less than three-eighths inch in diameter. In addition, the following shall apply:
1. 
Signs should not detract from the character of a historic or architecturally significant structure.
2. 
Signs should not add to an over proliferation of signs on a particular property or area.
3. 
Signs should not be located so as to have a negative impact on adjacent property.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1707 § 44, 2001; Ord. 1986 § 32, 2011)
Signs shall be designed so that all loads and reactions shall be transmitted to the ground through the structural framework and walls of supporting buildings or structures. If supports of an existing structure are found to be inadequate, they shall be adequately strengthened before the sign is erected. All sign supports other than those within a building shall be constructed of incombustible materials. Sign faces may be of other materials that comply as Class II material, Chapter 42 of the Uniform Building Code.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 33, 2011)
Signs erected on buildings or structures shall be securely attached by means of adequate metal brackets, expansion bolts, through bolts or lag screws. No material, parts, portion of equipment thereof or therefore shall be used which may become dangerous because of corrosion, disintegration, or for any other reason whatsoever. Wire, other than stranded cable, shall not be considered as adequate fastening except for cloth and banner signs.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 34, 2011)
Wall signs shall be constructed of materials as specified in Section 17.35.310. No wall sign shall have a projection over a public street, public sidewalk or beyond a building line, a distance greater than one foot.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 35, 2011)
Projecting signs attached to a building shall be constructed of materials as specified in Section 17.35.310. The thickness of any such sign shall not exceed the following:
A. 
For a maximum projection of three feet, a thickness of two feet and six inches.
B. 
For a maximum projection of two feet and six inches, a thickness of two feet.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 36, 2011)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 17.35.310, temporary signs may have wood-supporting members if all parts extending into the ground are protected with a preservative approved by the director of building and safety in accordance with the criteria therefor established by the Uniform Building Code as adopted by the city; provided, however, that no signs so constructed may project over the public property.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 37, 2011)
Glass panels used in signs shall be of the size, thickness and type as hereinafter provided:
Maximum Size of Exposed Glass Panel Any Dimension in Inches
Maximum Size of Exposed Glass Panel Area in Square Inches
Minimum Thickness of Glass in Inches
Type of Glass
30
500
1/8
Plain, plate or wired
45
700
3/16
Plain, plate or wired
144
3600
1/4
Plain, plate or wired
Over 144
Over 3600
1/4
Wire glass
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 38, 2011)
Each portion of the sign which is subject to more than one classification shall meet the requirements for the classification to which such portion is subject.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 39, 2011)
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the director of building and safety, the director of planning, or other departments of the city concerning any sign program may, within fourteen calendar days of the decision, file an appeal with the planning commission. The appeal shall be placed on the earliest commission agenda, within established agenda deadlines, not to exceed thirty calendar days from the filing date of the appeal. The planning commission shall hold an informal hearing upon the appeal and uphold, modify or reverse the decision of the city administration within thirty calendar days subsequent to the date of the hearing unless the applicant agrees to an extension of time. Failure of the planning commission to render a decision on the appeal within the thirty-day period, or any extension thereof, shall be an approval of the decision of the city administration.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1938 § 3, 2008; Ord. 1986 § 40, 2011)
Any person aggrieved by the decision, or the inaction thereon, of the planning commission on a city administration appeal may within fourteen calendar days of the decision, or inaction, file an appeal with the city council. The appeal shall be placed on the earliest council agenda, within established deadlines, not to exceed thirty calendar days from the filing date of the appeal. The city council shall hold an informal hearing upon the matter and uphold, modify, or reverse the decision of the planning commission within thirty calendar days subsequent to the date of the hearing, unless the applicant agrees to an extension of time. Failure of the city council to render a decision on the appeal within the thirty-day period, or any extension thereof, shall be an affirmance of the decision of the planning commission.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1938 § 4, 2008; Ord. 1986 § 41, 2011)
The planning commission shall have the authority to hear and decide appeals. Such appeals shall be filed in writing on an approved application provided by the planning department. The application shall set forth all information required in this section and Chapter 17.06. The planning commission decision shall be final ten days after the applicant receives formal written notice of the planning commission's decision. A decision of the planning commission may be appealed to the city council.
The applicant of an appeal shall submit the following information to the planning commission:
A. 
Completed application;
B. 
Exterior elevations of the project drawn to one-fourth inch to the foot scale. A larger scale shall be used when necessary for details of to provide clarification. All elements shall be identified on the plans and rendered with actual colors;
C. 
Materials board shall be submitted with true colors and textures to be used;
D. 
Eight by ten color photographs of the buildings and property, to include properties on both sides of the subject property;
E. 
Ten copies of all required information and materials shall be submitted to the planning commission. If the application is appealed to the city council the applicant shall submit additional copies of all required information and materials;
F. 
Other data as may be required by the planning commission or city council;
G. 
All plans and information must be clear, legible and scaled accurately;
H. 
The filing deadline is ten days prior to the planning commission's regular hearing date.
(Ord. 1618 § 14, 1996; Ord. 1986 § 42, 2011)
It is the duty of the director of building and safety and the director of planning to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The chief of police and all officers charged with the enforcement of the law shall assist the director of building and safety and the director of planning in the enforcement of this chapter.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 43, 2011)
Upon presentation of proper credentials and in accordance with the law, the director of building and safety, or the director of planning, or their duly authorized representatives, may enter at reasonable times, any building, structure or premises in the city to perform any duties imposed upon them by this chapter.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1986 § 44, 2011)
A. 
Discontinued signs or signs supported by abandoned structures shall be removed not less than thirty days from the date of abandonment by the owner.
B. 
Unabandoned signs shall be maintained in good condition and all cabinets, conductors, transformers and other equipment including lamps, tubing, raceways, crossovers and conduits shall be concealed from public view.
(Ord. 1707 § 46, 2001; Ord. 1986 § 46, 2011)
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or six months in the Los Angeles County jail, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.
(Ord. 1313 § 2, 1984)